ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Shri Sadananda Gowda holds a review meeting of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushdhi Pariyojana
Pharma products worth Rs 358 crore sold through Jan Aushadhi stores during first seven months of this fiscal 
Likely to surpass sales of Rs 600 crore for entire fiscal year against Rs 419 crore in 2019-20
Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers Shri DV Sadananda Gowda held a comprehensive review meeting of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana  in New Delhi today.
PMBJP has achieved sales of Rs 358 crores  worth of pharma products through 6600 Jan Aushadhi stores during first seven months of this fiscal , and is likely to surpass sales of Rs 600 crore for entire fiscal year.
During the meeting Shri Gowda congratulated BPPI Team for ensuring supply of medicines and other pharma products like masks to people at affordable rates during difficult times of covid-19.
Shri Gowda underlined that the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to reduce out of pocket expenditure of citizens on medicines, especially of marginalized section of the society is finally taking shape. He suggested that BPPI should take measures to consolidate these gains by strengthening supply chains by adopting innovative measures.
He said there is a need, to work on increasing awareness of people regarding efficacy and quality of Jan Aushadhi medicines, increasing coverage with focus on remote and rural areas, and for making sure availability of medicines at each Jan Aushadhi shops. He asked BPPI to prepare and submit a detailed action plan to achieve this goal.
Sri Sachin Kumar Singh, CEO, BPPI gave a brief presentation on the operations of PMBJP scheme.
The scheme of providing affordable medicines to citizens was revamped as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana  scheme in 2015-16 under the guidance of Shri Narendra Modi with the aim of bringing down healthcare budget of every citizen of India by providing quality generic medicines at affordable prices. Since then, the Jan Aushadhi stores selling affordable generic medicines has grown from mere 99 stores in 2014-15 to around 6600 stores at present. Sales figure has also seen a jump from Rs 7.29 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 433 crore in 2019-20.
The meeting was also attended by Ms. S .Aparna , Secretary  and Joint Secretary Shri Rajneesh Tingal.
Ministry of Defence
LIEUTENANT GENERAL WAG PINTO, PARAM VISHISHT SEVA MEDAL  THE VICTOR OF BASANTAR PASSES AWAY AT PUNE, FULL MILITARY HONOUR PAID
Lieutenant General WAG Pinto, Param Vishisht Seva Medal , departed for his heavenly abode on 25 Mar 2021 at the age of 97 years. He is survived by his son Cdr Kevin Pinto .
Lieutenant General JS Nain, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command along with other serving and retired personnel laid wreath to pay homage to the departed soul at a solemn ceremony held on Sunday at Pune. The Army Commander along with all ranks expressed deep condolences at the demise of the General Officer.
Lieutenant General WAG Pinto was popularly known for his dynamic leadership as GOC 54 Inf Div in the Battle of Basantar, during 1971 war. The General Officer was commissioned into 13 Frontier Force on 12 September 1943. Post-independence he joined the Brigade of Guards. He retired as General Officer Commanding-In-Chief, Central Command and also Colonel of the RAJPUT Regiment. The General’s motto in life was ‘Bash on Regardless’, a term he had coined to motivate his division in 1971 war.
The General was settled in Pune, he was better known as the “Victor of Basantar” for leading 54 Infantry Division to victory in 1971 Indo-Pak War in what is arguably the country’s most famous battle. In the legendary battle, Pinto’s division won as many as 196 Gallantry Medals in just 14 days of fierce fighting including two Param Vir Chakras and nine Maha Vir Chakras.
For a man who had led from the front, the General had a simple definition of leadership. He said, “To begin with, a good leader must have a strong personality and a good sense of humour. He must be able to inspire his men to do what he wants them to do”.
Ministry of Finance
DRI seizes 1.92 kg of Cocaine worth Rs. 26.5 crore imported by way of concealment inside thermocol balls
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence  has detected a novel modus operandi of smuggling of narcotics  into India via the courier route, wherein the cocaine was concealed within the thermocol balls, puportedly used to cushion the declared goods.
Based on specific intelligence developed by DRI, an import courier consignment was intercepted and examined by the DRI officers at New Courier Terminal, New Delhi, which resulted in the recovery of 1922 gm of Cocaine, having illicit international market value of Rs 26.5 crore .
The courier consignment arrived in two boxes from Sao Paulo, Brazil and was declared to contain "Table Center ". Prima facie examination of the consignment revealed that the two boxes contained one crystal glassware decorative bowl each, along with thousands of thermocol balls of around two cm diameter, to cushion the glassware against any damage.
A careful examination of the thermocol balls, however, suggested that some of the balls were slightly heavier  than the rest. Accordingly, as per the weight, heavier thermocol balls were segregated, which were around 10% of the total thermocol balls. The 972 heavier thermocol balls, on being cut open, were found to conceal smaller balls of white powder, covered by transparent extra thin polythene.
Box containing Crystal Glass bowl covered in thermocol balls
Balls of Cocaine, covered by thin transparent polythene, concealed inside thermocol balls
Extraction of Cocaine from the balls
The said white-coloured powder tested positive for Cocaine. Resultantly, in total 1922 gm of Cocaine has been recovered and seized under the NDPS Act, 1985.
Further investigation is under progress.
Special Service and Features
NITT Trichy and Armored Vehicles Nigam Ltd  signs MoU
A Memorandum of Understanding  was signed between the National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli  and Armored Vehicles Nigam Limited . The MoU was signed by Dr.G.Aghila, Director, NITT, and Shri.Biswaranjan Pattanaik, IOFS, Director, HR, AVNL Co., Avadi, Chennai and it took place in NITT on the morning of
31.03.2023. Through this understanding, both parties will collaborate and coordinate in promoting research, disseminating knowledge, and capacity-building activities that are likely to be mutually beneficial.
NITT and AVNL/AVANI propose to collaborate/continue to collaborate in the following broad directions: Research, consultancy, advisory, education, training, and projects under Corporate Social Responsibilities . A welcome note was addressed by
Dr.V.Sankaranarayan, Dean , NITT, and in his speech where he briefed how an MoU helps in reinforcing the industrial and institutional connection and highlighted the different academic and research activities of the departments in NITT.
This MoU was initiated by the office of the Dean as a part of industry and outreach activity. During the ceremony, Dr. G Aghila, Director of NITT expressed that our country has a good start-up ecosystem and the fresh ideas from educational institutions should be
transformed into useful industrial products and the industry must also play a vital role in ensuring the quality of the products. Finally, Shri. Biswaranjan Pattanaik, Director, HR, AVNL thanked NITT for its support to collaborate along mutually beneficial, projects, works,
research, and training linkages.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Chief Minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang calls on Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh in New Delhi
Chief Minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang today called on DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and discussed several centrally aided development projects in the State. He also conveyed his gratitude to the Minister for the manner in which the latter had regularly followed on day-to-day basis, the COVID situation in the State as well as relief and rehabilitation work following the rainfall and floods.
During a half-an-hour meeting with the DoNER Minister, Tamang submitted two proposals, one of which related to Chakung falling under one of the Aspirational districts.
He also updated Dr Jitendra Singh about the heavy tourist rush in Sikkim which had remained undeterred by the COVID pandemic and continuing even during the off-season.
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Ministry of Railways
First time, post Covid, Railway freight revenue overtakes last years cumulative figures in same corresponding.
Railway Revenue surges ahead and stands at Rs 98068.45 crore on a cumulative basis compared to Rs 97342.14 crore last year in same corresponding.
Month to month, freight revenue is almost 5% more than last year same corresponding days of February.
Railways continues to cross new milestones.
In a heartening new development, first time post Covid, Indian Railway's cumulative Freight Revenue has surged past last year’s levels and stands at Rs 98068.45 crore as compared to Rs 97342.14 to Fy 20-21 in same corresponding.
On a month to month basis as well, in first 12 days of February, Railways has overtaken last years freight revenue figures by 5%.
On a monthly basis, Railway freight revenue has surged Rs 206 crore ahead in Feb 21 compared to corresponding period Feb last year.
As per the estimates, Railways freight revenue stood at Rs 4571 cr for the first 12 days of Feb as compared to Rs 4365 cr for the same period last FY. Incidentally loading is also ahead by almost 8% as compared to last year same corresponding.
Railways has achieved this turnaround due to an extra ordinary set of new initiatives being taken in improving business development, incentives, speed and customisation.
It may be noted that Freight loading has been showing higher figures since August 20 as compared to corresponding period of previous Financial year. This is for the First time post Covid lock down that freight revenue for the month has also been showing higher estimates as compared to last corresponding .
Higher Freight revenue for the month is a great signal of an all round economic recovery that is sweeping the country and speaks volumes about the new management initiatives being taken in Railways to boost business and further improve freight operations.
Ministry of Railways
Indian Railways rolls out first AC Three Tier Economy Class Coach
Trial of the coach has been successfully completed
These coaches is having passenger capacity of 83 berths
These LHB Economy class coaches, after necessary sanctions, shall be inducted in all Mail / Express trains running with LHB coaches 
Indian Railways Production Unit, Railway Coach Factory, Kapurthala has recently rolled out the first prototype Linke Hofmann Busch  AC three-tier economy class coach of Indian Railways . Trial has been successfully completed.
This is a new variant of LHB AC three-tier coach with features enumerated as below:-
- Electrical panels with reduced footprint on the passenger deck, releasing additional floor space for passenger use.
- Increased Passenger capacity of 83 Berths.
- Provision of an enabling entrance and compartment for Divyangjan with wheelchair access and Provision of Divyangjan friendly toilet with wheelchair access complying to Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan norms.
- AC ducting by providing individual vents for all berths.
- Modular design of seats and berths to improve comfort, reduced weight and higher maintainability.
- Improved passenger conveniences in form of foldable snack tables in both longitudinal and transverse bays, injury free spaces and holders for water bottles, mobile phone and magazines.
- Individual reading lights and mobile charging points for each berth.
- Ergonomically improved design of ladder for accessing the middle and upper berths.
- Increased headroom in the middle and upper berths.
- Improved design of the Indian and the Western style lavatories.
- Aesthetically pleasing and ergonomic entrance.
- Luminescent aisle markers.
- Illuminated berth indicators integral with night lights with luminescent berth numbers.
- Improved fire safety standards by ensuring compliance to world benchmark of EN45545-2 HL3 for materials.
These LHB Economy class coaches, after necessary sanctions, shall be inducted in all Mail / Express trains running with LHB coaches .
Ministry of Power
Share of non-fossil fuel based generation capacity in the total installed capacity of the Country likely to increase from 42% as on Oct, 2022 to more than 64% by 2029-30
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- The data is as per the Generation Expansion Planning studies carried out by the Central Electricity Authority  for 2029-30
- This would reduce the dependence on fossil fuel in electricity generation and promote alternative sources of power like solar and wind
India’s per capita electricity consumption was 1255 kWh in 2021-22, which is around one-third of the global average of per capita electricity consumption. The Government of India, through Bureau of Energy Efficiency , has implemented schemes that help in increasing energy efficiency, such as Standards and Label  Programme, Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All , Street Lighting National Programme , Building Energy Efficiency, Agriculture and Municipal Demand Side Management.
As per the the Generation Expansion Planning studies carried out by the Central Electricity Authority  for 2029-30, the share of non-fossil fuel based generation capacity in the total installed capacity of the Country is likely to increase from around 42% as on Oct, 2022 to more than 64% by 2029-30. This would reduce the dependence on fossil fuel in electricity generation and promote alternative sources of power like solar and wind. Further, the following steps have been taken to promote renewable power in the country:
- Permitting Foreign Direct Investment  up to 100 percent under the automatic route.
- Waiver of Inter State Transmission System  charges for inter-State sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by 30th June 2025.
- Declaration of a trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation  up to the year 2029-30.
- Setting up of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks to provide land and transmission to RE developers for installation of RE projects at large scale.
- Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan , Solar Rooftop Phase II, 12000 Mega Watt  Central Public Sector Undertaking  Scheme Phase II, etc.
- Laying of new transmission lines and creating new sub-station capacity under the Green Energy Corridor Scheme for evacuation of renewable power.
- Standard Bidding Guidelines for tariff based competitive bidding process for procurement of Power from Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic  and Wind Projects.
- Notification of Promoting Renewable Energy through Green Energy Open Access Rules 2022.
- Launch of Green Term Ahead Market  to facilitate sale of Renewable Energy Power through exchanges.
This information was given by Shri R.K Singh, Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
Amendment to section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 by the Finance Act, 2023
Following the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s decision in Writ Petition  No. 59/2013 with 1283/2021, certain amendments have been made in clause  of section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 by the Finance Act, 2023.
For the purposes of removal of doubts, it is hereby clarified that the term “Sikkimese” defined for the purposes of the said clause, is only for the purposes of the Income-tax Act, 1961, and not for any other purpose.
Ministry of Urban Development
Swachh Survekshan-2017 : Success story of Gujarat

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City
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2017 Ranking among 434 surveyed
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2017 Ranking among 72 million plus population cities surveyed
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2016 Ranking among million plus cities
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2014 Ranking among 434 surveyed
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Surat
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4
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4
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6
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63
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Vadodara
|
|
10
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9
|
|
13
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214
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Ahmedabad
|
|
14
|
|
12
|
|
14
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|
79
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Rajkot
|
|
18
|
|
14
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7
|
|
25
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|
Gandhinagar
|
|
20
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|
16
|
|
42
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|
310
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Navsari
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|
25
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|
NA
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|
NA
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274
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Vapi
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|
26
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|
|
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|
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247
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Bhavnagar
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33
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|
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|
|
|
66
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Kalol
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34
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|
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|
|
91
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Jamnagar
|
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35
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|
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|
|
|
71
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Jetpur Navgadh
|
|
52
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|
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|
|
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197
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Godhra
|
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49
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|
|
|
|
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155
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Junagadh
|
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52
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|
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|
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197
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Bharuch
|
|
60
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282
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Dwarka
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66
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Not surveyed
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Nadiad
|
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69
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321
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Botad
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79
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|
|
|
|
|
167
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Palanpur
|
|
95
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|
|
|
|
|
335
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Morbi
|
|
96
|
|
|
|
|
|
108
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Bhuj
|
|
98
|
|
|
|
|
|
361
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Mehsana
|
|
99
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|
|
|
|
|
382
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|
Veraval
|
|
101
|
|
|
|
|
|
326
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|
Anand
|
|
103
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|
|
|
|
|
177
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|
Patan
|
|
111
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|
|
|
|
|
148
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|
Deesa
|
|
120
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|
|
|
|
|
346
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|
Amreli
|
|
123
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|
|
|
|
|
154
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|
Valsad
|
|
142
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|
|
|
|
|
255
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Surendranagar Dudhrej
|
|
150
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|
|
|
|
|
359
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Gondal
|
|
153
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|
|
|
|
|
454
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Porbandar
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|
184
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|
|
|
|
|
192
AAR/KM
Ministry of Science & Technology
CSIR’s Anti-Cancer Drug IIIM-290 enters Clinical Trial
CSIR constituent lab CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine  Jammu, has received Investigational New Drug  approval from New Drugs Division of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization  for a potent anti-cancer, New Chemical Entity  effective against pancreatic cancer after successful completion of preclinical development and IND submission. This will pave way for CSIR- IIIM for conducting the clinical trial of this important drug candidate IIIM-290 in pancreatic cancer patients. The proposed clinical trial is aimed to assess the safety, tolerability and exposure of the compound in humans along with the early efficacy indicators in pancreatic cancer patients. This drug was discovered and developed at the natural-products driven drug discovery program of CSIR-IIIM.
Dr. Shekhar Mande, DG, CSIR complemented team of scientists Sandip Bharate, Sonali Bharate, Dilip Mondhe, Shashi Bhushan and Sumit Gandhi who were led by Dr. Ram Vishwakarma, Director of CSIR-IIIM, on this significant milestone. They conducted close to a decade of high-end research as a prelude to granting of regulatory approval for clinical trials against pancreatic cancer.
Dr Ram Vishwakarma, highlighting the R&D carried out, informed that the anti-cancer screening against NCI-60 cancer cell lines panel and clinically validated protein kinase enzymes involved in cancer provided in 2011, provided an initial potent hit . Further medicinal chemistry designed to address efficacy/selectivity against a class of cell-cycle regulatory kinases  identified this preclinical candidate IIIM-290 showing excellent pharmacokinetics, oral bioavailability and potent anticancer activity in a number of animal xenograft models, with the best activity against the pancreatic cancer model. In the last three years, researchers completed all the pre-clinical safety, regulatory and other IND enabling studies, obtained global patents and published in, the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry in 2018.
Pertinently, the Pancreatic cancer currently ranks 12th among most common cancers in the world but has the notorious distinction of being the 4th leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The incidence of pancreatic cancer in India is 0.5–2.4 per 100,000 men and 0.2–1.8 per 100,000 women. Globally, it causes more than a quarter of a million deaths annually. This cancer is considered as one of the untreatable cancer type, because of its very late diagnosis and therefore there is a huge scarcity of drugs for the treatment of this cancer. This indigenous drug discovery program based on natural products opens potential therapeutic options for pancreatic cancer.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister meets with Mr. Young Liu, Chairman of Foxconn
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi met with Mr. Young Liu, Chairman of Foxconn in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
The Prime Minister’s Office tweeted;
“Mr. Young Liu, Chairman of Foxconn, met PM @narendramodi in Gandhinagar. The PM welcomed Foxconn's plans to expand semiconductor and chip manufacturing capacity in India.”
Prime Minister's Office
Phone call between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and H.E. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a phone call today with H.E. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at the progress achieved in bilateral ties since his memorable visit to Rwanda in 2018. The President of Rwanda warmly recalled the 200 Indian cows gifted by Prime Minister Modi during his 2018 visit, and explained that they had helped in improving availability of milk for Rwandan children and also increased the income of farmers.
The leaders discussed the challenges posed to their healthcare systems and economies by the COVID-19 pandemic. They shared information about the steps taken in the respective country to manage the crisis and ensure well-being of citizens. The leaders agreed to extend all possible support to each other’s expatriate citizens during the present crisis.
The Prime Minister assured the Rwandan President of India’s steadfast support to Rwanda’s efforts to combat the Coronavirus, including through medical assistance. He appreciated the effective management of the crisis under President Kagame’s leadership, and the firm resolve of the people of Rwanda in combating this challenge.
The Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes for the health and well-being of the people of Rwanda during the present crisis.
Ministry of Defence
33rd Annual Day Celebration in AFGJI
Air Force Golden Jubilee Institute, Subroto Park celebrated its 33rd Annual Day on the 3rd of November 2018 on the theme ‘RAS TARANGINI’. The event began with the esteemed Chief Guest, Air Marshal PP Bapat Vishisht Seva Medal, Air Officer- in Charge Administration, Indian Air Force and his wife, Mrs Smita Bapat lighting the ceremonial lamp along with Air Commodore M Mohanta, Principal Director Schools Adventure and Sports and Chairman Managing Committee, Air Force Schools, Mrs Bandita Mohanta, Wg Cdr Madhu Sengar- Executive Director and the Principal, Mrs Poonam S Rampal.
The Welcome Address was given by the School Head boy, Eric Chopra. The invocation ‘Ahvaan – Call for resurrection’’ was a prayer to the Almighty to restore peace and tranquility in the world. It exemplified the need of the hour and showcased the power that peace and harmony possess over the evils prevalent in our society and was performed by the talented choir of the institution, ‘Ekyataan’. The Annual School Report was presented by the Principal, Mrs Poonam S Rampal and the students. A presentation was shown highlighting the achievements and progress of the school. It was a moment of pride when scholarships and awards were given away to the exemplary achievers of all the three wings during the Prize Distribution Ceremony, amidst thunderous applause from the audience.
The dance-drama ‘RASTARANGINI’, encapsulated and exemplified the gamut of emotions that find a wonderful manifestation in the life of the hero, the slayer, the guide and the saviour – Lord Krishna. It was a collaborative effort of the students of the Primary, Senior and the Special Wing. The auditorium foyer was decorated with rangoli and paintings based on the life of Lord Krishna. The Chief Guest then addressed the audience and applauded the efforts of the staff and over 350 students who came together to put up a successful event. The occasion ended with the Vote of Thanks proposed by the School Head girl, Shefali Arora.